You’ve seen the flyers. Those glossy, over-saturated ads with "Rollback" written in giant font, practically screaming at you to buy a TV the size of a garage door. But honestly, if you're waiting for Friday morning to start your shopping, you’ve already lost. Walmart changed the game a few years ago, and for 2025, they basically dismantled the traditional idea of a single-day sale.
It's "Whoknewville" now. That's the weird, Grinch-themed marketing campaign they leaned into this year, featuring Walton Goggins. Beyond the quirky ads, the reality is that the best Walmart Black Friday deals aren't even happening on Black Friday. They’re happening in waves, starting as early as mid-November. If you’re not tracking the "Events," you're just picking up the leftovers.
The Three-Act Extravaganza
Walmart isn't doing one sale. They’re doing three. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and the timeline is honestly kind of exhausting if you don't have it written down.
The first wave hit on November 14th. This was the "early bird" event where we saw some of the most aggressive price cuts on tech that usually never moves. Then came the big one, Event 2, which kicked off online on November 25th. If you were looking for that 75-inch Hisense or the PlayStation 5 bundles, that was your window. By the time the actual Friday (November 28th) rolled around, the in-store rush was mostly for people who like the sport of it, or those who missed the online drops.
And don't forget Cyber Monday on December 1st. That's almost entirely its own beast, focusing on online-only "steals" like the Drew Barrymore furniture line or those Greenworks power tool kits that DIYers obsess over.
Why Your Walmart+ Membership Is Actually a Weapon
I used to think store memberships were a scam. Paying for the privilege to shop? No thanks. But for Walmart Black Friday deals, it’s the only way to guarantee you actually get what’s in your cart.
Paid Walmart+ members get a five-hour head start. That sounds like a small window, but in the world of $69 AirPods and $399 Dyson vacuums, five hours is an eternity. By the time the general public gets access at midnight, the "Out of Stock" labels are already popping up like digital weeds.
Last year, the M1 MacBook Air for $549 sold out almost instantly once the gates opened to everyone. Members had been picking them off since 7 p.m. the night before. Plus, with the membership currently sitting at around $49 for the year—half its usual price—it basically pays for itself if you’re buying even one high-ticket item. You also get a choice between Paramount+ or Peacock, which is a nice little kicker if you’re trying to cut down on your streaming bills.
The Tech Deals That Actually Matter
Let's talk hardware. Everyone wants a TV, but not every TV deal is a "deal." Walmart’s private label, Onn, always has these $89 doorbusters. They’re fine for a guest room or a dorm, but if you want something that doesn't look like it's filtered through a screen door, you have to look higher.
- The 98-inch TCL QLED: This thing was $1,798. During the sale? $998. That’s an $800 drop. That’s the kind of deal that makes people rent a truck.
- Apple AirPods 4: These hit a record low of $69. Considering they usually hover around $129, that’s a massive win for anyone who loses their earbuds every six months.
- PlayStation 5 Slim: The "Fortnite Flowering Chaos" bundle dropped to $449. It’s not just the console; you’re getting the disc drive and 1TB of storage, which matters because modern games are huge.
- Laptops: The HP 15-inch with an Intel Core i5 dropped under $300. It’s a workhorse for students, even if it’s not a gaming rig.
There's a weird psychological trick retailers use where they mark up prices in October just to "discount" them in November. I always tell people to use AisleGopher or Keepa. These are price trackers that show you the history of an item. If that "deal" was the same price in July, skip it.
The Toy Chaos and the "Squishmallow" Factor
If you have kids, you know the pressure. This year, the focus shifted toward "Smart Play" Lego sets—think Star Wars kits with interactive tags. The Darth Vader TIE Fighter dropped to $69.99, which is decent for a set that actually responds to your phone.
But the real frenzy? It’s still Squishmallows and Barbie. The Barbie Dreamhouse was slashed by over 30%, coming in around $138. And then there are the "Special Buys"—those items Walmart brings in specifically for Black Friday. The 16-inch Colin the Cow Squishmallow for $34? Parents were practically climbing over each other for that one.
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The strategy here is simple: if it’s a name-brand toy like LEGO or Melissa & Doug, the 50% off deals are real. If it’s a brand you’ve never heard of, be skeptical of the "original" price.
Practical Steps to Win the Rest of the Season
Shopping is over for many, but the cycle repeats. If you missed out this year, here is how you fix it for the next round.
1. Set up your account early.
Don't be the person trying to remember your password at 6:59 p.m. while the AirPods are disappearing. Save your payment info. Save your address. Make sure your credit card isn't about to expire.
2. Use the "Save for Later" trick.
Put the items you want in your cart or a "Wish List" a week before the sale starts. When the clock hits the start time, you don't have to search. You just refresh and hit checkout.
3. Check the "Special Buy" tags.
These are items manufactured specifically for Black Friday. They’re often cheaper because they might have one less HDMI port or a slightly different plastic casing. They are great for saving money, but just know you aren't always getting the "standard" retail version.
4. Watch the return window.
Walmart usually extends its return policy for the holidays, but for electronics, it's still often shorter than you'd think. Keep your receipts. Digital ones are easier—just use the app.
The reality is that Walmart Black Friday deals are now a game of logistics. It's about having the right membership, the right app, and the right timing. If you’re still showing up to a physical store at 5 a.m. with a thermos of coffee, you’re mostly there for the tradition, not the best prices. The real savings happened on your phone four days ago while you were sitting on the couch.
Next time, get the membership, set the alarm for 6:55 p.m., and let the rest of the world fight over the last toaster in the aisle. You’ve got better things to do.
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Final thought: keep an eye on the "Restored" section on Walmart’s site after the holidays. A lot of those Black Friday impulse buys get returned unopened, and you can snag them for even less than the sale price in January. It’s the ultimate pro move for the patient shopper.